Suspension ceiling with parallel vanes for building structures

ABSTRACT

A suspended ceiling system for a building structure includes a plurality of parallel struts for supporting a plurality of parallel vanes suspended from the struts in perpendicular relationship thereto. The vanes can be suspended in downwardly spaced relationship to the struts or in contiguous relationship therewith and occur in different forms including illuminated vanes, adjustable vanes and the like.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/296,665 filed on Mar. 8, 2019, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/701,872 filed on May1, 2015 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,227,776), which, in turn, is adivisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/595,043 filed on Aug.27, 2012 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,038,344) and entitled “SuspensionCeiling With Parallel Vanes for Building Structures”, which, in turn,claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/527,729 filed Aug. 26, 2011, all of which are herebyincorporated by reference herein in their entireties for all purposes.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to drop ceilings for use inbuilding structures and particularly such a drop ceiling where aplurality of parallel vanes are suspended from parallel struts mountedwithin the ceiling.

BACKGROUND

Drop ceiling systems for building structures are well known in the artwith most drop ceiling systems including a plurality of criss-crossingstruts defining quadrangular openings in which acoustical panels arereleasably supported. Inverted T-shaped support shoulders are hung fromthe struts and define a quadrangular shelf on which an acoustical panelcan be releasably seated. Such ceiling systems in many instances definedesired aesthetics or acoustics for the ceiling but they are difficultto install without damaging the ceiling panels and preclude a morecontemporary look as is found in some commercial buildings, restoredlofts and the like where it is desired that an individual in thebuilding can see through the suspended ceiling into the open spacethereabove.

Parallel vanes have been hung from struts provided in the ceiling ofbuilding structures but it is difficult to establish a uniform parallelrelationship between the vanes and to mount the system in a relativelyfast and efficient manner. Further, the vanes sometimes have beenmounted so as to be contiguous with the underside of the struts fromwhich they are supported thereby limiting the aesthetics that areavailable with such mounting systems.

SUMMARY

Examples of the present disclosure provide a new and improved system forsuspending vanes from supporting struts within the ceiling of a buildingstructure. In some examples, a ceiling system for building structuresincludes a plurality of parallel vanes suspended from parallel strutsprovided in the ceiling of the building structure. In one example, thevanes are connected to the struts with connectors which are slidablyconnected to a strut by a hanger assembly component of the connector,and then fixably positioned with the connector at a desired locationalong the length of the strut. A vane is suspended with a suspendingassembly on the connector at a spaced location below the struts. Theconnector includes a vertical pivot rod to which the suspending assemblyis connected and rotation of which causes the connector to grip theassociated strut at any desired location along the length of the strut.Spacers may be provided in the strut between vanes so that the vanes areconnected to a plurality of the struts at desired uniformly spacedlocations whereby the vanes extend in parallel uniformly spacedrelationship with each other when suspended and when their connectorsare locked in position relative to a supporting strut.

The vanes can assume different forms with one such form simply being analuminum pouch, or a pouch made from another rigid, semi-rigid orflexible material. The vane may be illuminated with an interior lightingsystem. Other examples include vanes having a base from which anydesired material can be connected to hang from the base to providedifferent aesthetics. Further, in another example, the vane is pivotalabout a longitudinal horizontal axis so as to form any of a variety ofdesired angles relative to the struts from which the vane is suspended.

In a still further example of the disclosure, a plurality of vanes arecontiguously connected to a plurality of struts with two-piececonnectors which are slidable along a length of a strut to which a vaneis to be connected and can be quickly set or releasably anchored in anylocation along the length of the strut to secure the vane in position.This system is also useful in connecting a pair of vane components whichare longitudinally aligned and joined by the connector at the engagementpoint of the connector to the overlying strut.

In one example, the vanes are spaced downwardly from the struts. Inother alternative examples, the vanes can take numerous configurationsso that in one example vane panels can be substituted for other vanepanels. In another example, a vane can include an illuminating system orthe vane can be pivotally mounted so as to extend at different anglesfrom the supporting struts. In a still further example, the vanes can bequickly connected to the struts so as to be contiguous with either aone-piece vane or a two-piece vane where the pieces of a two-piece vaneare longitudinally aligned and/or abutted at a suspension location froma strut.

In a further example, a ceiling system for a building structure isprovided. The ceiling system includes a plurality of elongated parallelstruts suspended within a ceiling of the building structure, a pluralityof connectors secured to the struts, and a plurality of elongated vanesconnected to the struts by the connectors. The vanes are positioned at adownwardly spaced position from the struts. Each connector secured to astrut may be associated with a separate vane.

Each connector may include a hanger assembly and a suspending assembly.The hanger assembly may be slidably supported on an associated strut andinclude means for releasably securing the connector to the associatedstrut at a desired location along the length of the strut. The hangerassembly may include a vertically extending pivotal rod that can beselectively pivoted rotated to releasably secure the connector to anassociated strut. Additionally or alternatively, the hanger assembly mayinclude a fastener, such as a threaded rod, that extends through a holeformed in the strut and is secured to the strut. A spacer may bepositioned on the pivotal rod to maintain a uniform spacing of thehanger system from the suspending assembly. The suspending assembly maybe releasably connected to an associated vane.

The hanger assembly may further include a latch component and a catchcomponent. The latch component may be connected to a pivotal rod forunitary pivotal movement therewith, and the catch component may beoperatively connected to an associated strut to remain unitarilypositioned relative thereto. When the latch component is pivoted withthe rod, the latch component may be releasably fixed in positionrelative to the catch component to releasably secure the connector tothe associated strut. The hanger assembly further may include aresilient biasing system for biasing the latch component into yieldingengagement with the catch component. The resilient biasing system mayinclude at least one spring washer mounted on the pivotal rod. The catchcomponent may include an internally-threaded aperture configured tothreadably engage a threaded rod.

The plurality of elongated parallel vanes may extend perpendicularly tothe plurality of parallel struts. Each vane may be spaced downwardlyfrom a strut to which a hanger assembly is secured. Each vane may beslidably connected to a suspending assembly, which in turn may beconnected to a hanger assembly. Each vane may include a light generatingsystem to illuminate the vane. Each vane may include a base connected toan associated connector and a releaseable panel suspended from the base.The panel may be pivotally suspended from the base. For example, thebase may include an elongated arcuate support, and the panel may includean arcuate channel pivotally supported by the arcuate support formovement between a plurality of angularly related releasable positionsrelative to the base.

In yet a further example, another ceiling system for a buildingstructure is provided. The ceiling system includes a plurality ofelongated parallel struts suspended within a ceiling of the buildingstructure, a plurality of two piece connectors secured to the struts,and a plurality of elongated vanes connected to the struts by the twopiece connectors. Each of the pieces of the connectors may be identical.For example, each piece of the connectors may have mutuallyperpendicular legs. One of the legs may be releasably connected to anassociated strut and the other leg releasably connected to an associatedvane. The struts may have elongated upwardly projecting parallel sides,and one leg of each piece may include a downwardly opening channel thatreceives a side of an associated strut to support the piece on thestrut. Each leg of the pieces may include a tightener for releasablyconnecting the piece to the associated strut and the associated vane.The vane may have two longitudinally aligned components, with eachcomponent connected to an associated piece of the connector.

Other advantages and variations will become apparent from the belowdescription and from the appended claims. This summary of the disclosureis given to aid understanding, and one of skill in the art willunderstand that each of the various aspects and features of thedisclosure may advantageously be used separately in some instances, orin combination with other aspects and features of the disclosure inother instances.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a ceiling in accordance with examples ofthe present disclosure installed in a building structure.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a ceiling in accordance with examples ofthe present disclosure mounted in a building structure illustrating adifferent angle and view of the ceiling from that of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along line 3-3 of FIG.2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view of a connector and its relationshipto a supporting strut.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a connector shown in relationship with astrut, spacer, and vane shown in dash lines.

FIG. 6 is a further enlarged fragmentary section taken along line 4-4 ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary section taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary section taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary section taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a further enlarged fragmentary section taken along line 10-10of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a further enlarged fragmentary section taken along line 11-11of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is an isometric view showing a connector positioned within astrut and supporting a vane with the strut and vane shown in dashedlines.

FIG. 13 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 12 with the connectorfixably secured to the strut and showing a rotation of the connector forreleasably securing it in position.

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of a second example of the presentdisclosure showing connectors supporting a pair of adjacent vanes from astrut.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along line 15-15 ofFIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is an isometric view of a third example of the presentdisclosure showing illuminated vanes suspended from supporting struts.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along line 17-17 ofFIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary isometric of a fourth example of the presentdisclosure showing a vane suspended from supporting struts.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along line 19-19 ofFIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a fifth example of the present disclosure showing a singlevane suspended from a pair of supporting struts.

FIG. 21 is an enlarged section taken along line 21-21 of FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is an exploded fragmentary isometric view showing the vane usedin the example of FIG. 20.

FIG. 23 is an isometric view of a sixth example of the presentdisclosure showing a tiltable vane suspended from a pair of supportingstruts.

FIG. 24 is an end elevation of the system shown in FIG. 23 with the vaneshown tilted into various positions in dashed lines and in one disclosedposition in solid lines.

FIG. 25 is an exploded isometric view of a seventh example of thepresent disclosure showing a threaded rod hanger component.

FIG. 26 is an exploded isometric view of an eighth example of thepresent disclosure showing another threaded rod hanger implementation.

FIG. 27 is an exploded isometric view of a ninth example of the presentdisclosure showing yet another threaded rod hanger implementation.

FIG. 28 is an exploded isometric view of a tenth example of the presentdisclosure showing another threaded rod hanger implementation.

FIG. 29 is a fragmentary top perspective view of an eleventh example ofthe present disclosure showing a single vane suspended from a supportingstrut.

FIG. 30 is a fragmentary end perspective view of the system shown inFIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is an exploded fragmentary isometric view of the system shown inFIG. 29.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a ceiling system 30 in accordance withthe present disclosure is shown in two different environments with theenvironment shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the ceiling system at an angleso that only the vanes 32 are seen and not an open ceiling structureabove the vanes. In FIG. 2, the ceiling system 30 is shown in anenvironment and at a different angle so that it is evident an individualcan look between the vanes 32 of the ceiling system into an open spaceabove the vanes. A plurality of parallel struts 34 are provided abovethe vanes, with which connectors 36 are used to suspend the vanes fromthe struts.

FIG. 3 illustrates a pair of parallel vanes 32 suspended from a pair ofparallel struts 34 in a perpendicular relationship with it beingunderstood in a complete ceiling system, there would normally be manyparallel struts along with many parallel vanes suspended therefrom inperpendicular relationship to the struts. The struts in turn would besuspended from the structure of the building, as from support beams (notshown) which are directly connected to the struts or from which thestruts are supported by suspension rods, cables or the like (which arenot shown). In FIG. 3, the vanes 32 are oriented vertically for clarity.

In general, and as possibly best appreciated by reference to FIGS. 4 and5, the vanes 32 are suspended from the struts 34 by the connectors 36,each of which includes a hanger assembly 38 and a suspending assembly40. The hanger and suspending assemblies are interconnected in a mannerto be described hereafter with the hanger assembly 38 being at the topof the connector 36, and the suspending assembly 40 being at the bottomof the connector 36. The hanger assembly 38 is designed to cooperatewith the struts 34 in a manner such that the connector 36 can be slidalong the length of an associated strut 34 and then releasably locked ina desired position. The vanes can thus be mounted in parallelrelationship with each other. The suspending assembly 40 is designed toslidably receive the top of a vane 32.

Continuing in general with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, a spacer 42 ofany of a variety of predetermined lengths, which defines the spacingdesired between vanes, is also slidably positioned within an associatedstrut 34. Each spacer 42 is inserted into the strut 34 so as to extendbetween adjacent connectors 36 to obtain the desired uniform spacingbetween connectors 36 (and thus the corresponding vanes 32) associatedwith any individual strut 34. The example spacer 42 includes a base 43,which may be substantially flat, and a pair of ribs 45 extending upwardfrom the base 43 in a divergent relationship to one another. The spacer42 is designed so that when inserted into a strut 34, a top surface 47of the base 43 is positioned adjacent to and beneath a lower surface 49of the strut 34 to substantially cover a downwardly opening channel 44of the strut 34. The ribs 45 extend above the upturned lips 98 of thestrut 34 to trap or capture the lips 98 of the strut 34 between the ribs45 and the base 43 of the spacer 42, thereby slidably coupling thespacer 42 to the strut 34. Thus, in some implementations, the assembledconnectors 36 and spacers 42 substantially close the bottom opening ofthe strut 34 to provide a suspension ceiling with improved aestheticswhen viewed from below.

As will be explained hereafter, the hanger assembly 38 of each connector36 is designed to be slidably inserted into a downwardly opening channel44 of the strut 34 until it is desirably positioned in abutment with aspacer 42. The connector 36 is quickly and easily releasably locked orfixed into position in a manner and with a structure described hereafterso as to retain that position relative to the strut.

The component parts of the connector 36, including the hanger assembly38 and the suspending assembly 40, are illustrated in FIG. 4, where itcan be seen a central pivot rod 46 is provided having a relatively largediameter main body 48 with reduced diameter upper 50 and lower 52 axialextensions from opposite ends. A first transverse passage 54 is providedthrough the main body at an approximate central location and a secondtransverse passage 56 is provided through the main body adjacent the topthereof. A third transverse passage 58 is provided through the lowerreduced diameter axial extension 52 of the pivot rod with this passagebeing perpendicular to the second passage 56. The central pivot rod 46is a central framework about which the hanger assembly 38 and thesuspending assembly 40 are related.

The suspending assembly 40 as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 7 is suspendedfrom the lower end of the pivot rod 46 by a first cross pin 60. Thesuspending assembly 40 includes an upper plate 62 and a lower body 64.The upper plate 62 includes a plurality of downwardly directed ribs 122that define channels therebetween. In particular, the upper plate 62includes a pair of outer ribs 122 a and a pair of inner ribs 122 b, witheach inner rib 122 b including a laterally extending shoulder. Lateralchannels 123 are formed between the outer and inner ribs 122 a, 122 b,and a central channel 125 is formed between the inner ribs 122 b. Thecentral channel 125 is sized to receive an upper portion of the lowerbody 64 so that when assembled the lower body 64 abuts the upper plate62 and the lower body 64 can pivot 360° within the channel 125.

The lower body 64 of the suspending assembly 40 has a downwardly openinglongitudinal channel 68 formed therein with laterally extending flanges70. When assembled, the flanges 70 are vertically spaced apart from theribs 122 of the upper plate 62 to define a passage 66 therebetween intowhich the inturned flanges 128 of the upper base 126 of a vane 32 can beslid. Thus, the vane 32 can be slidably suspended from a strut 34. Toengage or disengage the vane 32 from the suspending assembly 40, thelower body 64 is rotatable between the inturned flanges 128 so that thelower body 64 of each connector 36 can be selectively rotated to engageor disengage the flanges 70 with the upper base 126 of a vane 32. Inaddition, each flange 70 includes a chamfered corner 71 to permit thelower body 64 to pivot 90° within an upper base 126 of a vane 32, andparticularly within the space defined vertically between the inturnedflanges 128 and the horizontal wall 130 of the upper base 126. To retainthe suspending assembly 40 to the pivot rod 46, the channel 68 of thelower body 64 provides a passage into which the first cross pin 60 canbe inserted so as to be received in the third transverse passage 58through the lower end of the pivot rod 46. The pin 60 is of a lengthsuch that the pin 60 can pivot 360° within the channel 68 so that thelower body 64 can be rotated independently of the pivot rod 46. Thus,the suspending assembly 40 can engage the vane 32 independently of thehanger assembly 38 engaging the strut 34. The first cross pin 60 therebysupports the suspending assembly 40 from the lower end of the pivotalrod 46 as will be further appreciated with the description that followsbut the suspending assembly 40 is independently pivotal through a 90°arc relative to the hanger assembly 38.

Again referring to FIG. 4, the hanger assembly 38 can be seen to includea spacer sleeve or cylinder 73 having an internal passage 72 slightlygreater than the diameter of the main body 48 of the pivot rod 46 sothat the sleeve 73 can be slid downwardly over the main body 48 of thepivot rod 46 and rest upon the top surface of the upper plate 62 of thesuspending assembly 40. When the sleeve 73 is desirably positioned uponthe pivot rod 46, a transverse passage 74 through the spacer sleeve 73is aligned with the first transverse passage 54 through the pivot rod46. Resting on top of the spacer sleeve 73 and also forming part of thehanger assembly 38 is a bottom plate 76, an intermediate plate 78 abovethe bottom plate 76, and above that a top plate 80 with the top plate 80being referred to as a latch component of the hanger assembly 38. Theintermediate plate 78 is a selectively movable component of the hangerassembly 38 and is referred to as a catch component of the hangerassembly 38. The top plate or latch component 80 has a longitudinalchannel 82 having an elongated vertical dimension for receipt of asecond cross pin 84. The channel 82 defines a slot along its top whichcreates an opening through the top of the latch component 80. Thechannel 82 may be aligned with the upper second passage 56 through thepivot rod 46 when assembled so that when the latch component isdesirably positioned on the pivot rod 46 in the desired verticallocation. The second cross pin 84 can be inserted through the channel 82in the latch component 80 and through the second passage 56 in the pivotrod 46 to retain the latch component 80 on the pivot rod 46 with theintermediate plate 78 and the bottom plate 76 therebeneath. It will beappreciated that the second cross pin 84 serves to key the latchcomponent 80 to the pivot rod 46 so that they may pivot in unison aboutthe longitudinal axis of the pivot rod 46.

Referring still to FIGS. 4 through 7, above the latch component 80, alower washer 86 is provided in axial alignment with the pivot rod 46 andadapted to be received on the reduced diameter upper extension 50 of thepivot rod 46. The lower washer 86 rests on the shoulder formed betweenthe middle portion 48 and the upper portion 50. A pair of spring washers88 are disposed on the lower washer 86. Above the spring washers anupper washer 90 is positioned. Above the upper washer 90 a lock washer92 is positioned. The lock washer 92 fits on the reduced diameter upperextension 50 of the pivot rod 46 to hold the washers all in position onthe upper reduced diameter extension 50 of the pivot rod 46. Asdescribed in more detail below, by applying suitable downward pressureto the spring washers 86 with the lock washer 92, the spring washers 86can be maintained in a biased condition so as to apply a downwardbiasing force on the latch component 80 of the hanger assembly 38 sothat the latch component 80 applies a yielding downward force againstthe intermediate plate or the catch component 78 of the hanger assembly38. This helps selectively secure the hanger assembly 38 to the strut 34for desired vane positioning.

With continuing reference to the hanger assembly 38 and to FIGS. 4through 9, the bottom plate 76 is slightly wider than the catchcomponent 78 and the latch component 80. The bottom plate 76 is sized tobe at least partially slidably inserted into the downwardly openingchannel 44 of an associated strut 34. The associated strut 34 defines adownwardly opening slot 96 (shown in FIGS. 6 and 8) with upturned lips98 along opposite sides of the strut 34 so that the bottom plate 76 isslidably supported on the upturned lips 98.

FIGS. 5 and 12 show the connector 36 fully assembled, with FIG. 5showing the connector 36 aligned for insertion of the hanger assembly 38into the open end of an associated strut 34, and for receipt of theupper end 126 of a vane 32 on the suspension assembly 40. The spacers 42are inserted into the strut 34 after each insertion of a connector 36 soas to obtain a desired uniform spacing between connectors 36 and thusthe respective vanes 32 along the length of an associated strut 34.

FIGS. 6 through 10 show the connector 36 in various mountedrelationships with a strut 34 and a suspended vane 32. Referring firstto FIG. 6, the hanger assembly 38 is shown with the bottom plate 76disposed beneath the associated strut 34. and the bottom plate 76defines a pair of upstanding longitudinally extending ribs 100projecting upwardly from the bottom plate 76, and each being spacedapart equally on either side of the centerline of the bottom plate 76.When assembled, the ribs 100 are received into the open bottom of thestrut 34, adjacent to the upturned lips 98. The bottom plate 76 isreceived onto the main portion of the pivot rod 46 through aperture 104,and rests in the desired vertical location on the top end of the spacer73.

Still referring to the hanger assembly 38, overlying the bottom plate 76is the intermediate plate or catch component 78, which can be seen inFIGS. 4 through 6 and 12 to have a longitudinally extending centralrectilinear rib 102 formed along its longitudinal center and extendingupwardly from its top surface. Along that rib 102 as seen in FIG. 4 forexample, a relatively large opening 104 is provided to receive the mainbody 48 of the pivot rod 46. Notches 108 are provided on opposite lowerlongitudinal edges 110 of the overlying latch component 80 so that whenthe notches 108 are selectively aligned with the rib 102 on the catchcomponent 78, the latch component 80 is yieldingly retained intransverse relationship to the catch component 78. This alignment isreleasable, as described below, and allows a user (such as theinstaller) to hold the hanger assembly 38 in a selected position alongthe length of the strut 34.

When initially assembled, the latch component 80 and the catch component78 are longitudinally aligned as seen in FIGS. 4 through 6 and 12through 13. As defined in more detail below, the overlying latchcomponent 80 may be pivoted 90° by rotation of the pivot rod 46 sincethe latch component 80 and pivot rod 46 rotate in unison as mentionedpreviously. The rotation of the latch component 80 selectively securesthe hanger assembly 38 in place on the strut 34. The pivot rod 46 can bepivoted with a tool 112 in the form of a cylindrical rod that isinserted through the central first transverse passage 54 through thepivot rod 46 as shown for example in FIGS. 8 and 9.

The assembly and engagement of the connector 36 to the strut 34 and thevane 32 will now be generally described. FIG. 4 shows the connector 36prior to assembly in exploded view, with the hanger assembly 38 and thesuspension assembly 40 oriented for engagement with the strut 34 and thevane 32, respectively.

FIG. 5 shows the hanger assembly 38 in assembled fashion with the lowerplate 76, the catch plate 78, and the latch plate 80 all oriented inlengthwise alignment for insertion into the cavity of the strut 34 andengagement with the slot 44. In this position, the latch plate 80 is inposition to be actuated by rotation to secure the connector 36 to thestrut 34. The suspension assembly 40 is also shown with the lower body64 oriented such that the flanges 70 can be received into the slotformed by the spaced apart flanges 128 and the horizontal wall 130. Inthis position, the lower body 64 is in position to be actuated byrotation to secure the vane 32 onto the connector 36. The lower body 64also may be inserted into the end of the vane 32 with the flanges 70extending transversely to the length of the vane 32.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the connector 36 after the hanger assembly 38 hasbeen inserted into the strut 34, and the suspension assembly 40 hasreceived the upper base 126 of the vane 32. Here, the vane 32 is securedonto the suspension assembly 40, but the suspension assembly 40 ismovable along the length of the vane 32. The hanger assembly 38 ismovably secured within the strut 34 such that the connector 36 and thevane 32 will not disengage from the strut 32 and fall to the ground, yetthe hanger assembly 38, and thus the vane 32, are moveable along thelength of the strut 34. As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the washerassembly has non-actuated height H1.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show the connector 36 after the hanger assembly 38 hasbeen actuated by rotation of the pivot rod 46. As mentioned above,rotation of the pivot rod 46 orients the latch component 80 such thatits slot 108 engages the rail 102 to releasably secure, by actuating thespring assembly on the pivot rod 46, the hanger assembly 38 in placealong the length of the strut 34.

In more detail relating to the releasable engagement of the hangerassembly 38 to the strut 34, and with continued reference to FIGS. 6through 13, when the pivot tool 112 pivots the pivot rod 46 through 90°,the latch component 80 pivots about the longitudinal axis of the pivotrod 46 so that beveled surfaces 114 along opposite ends and oppositeside edges of the latch component 80 will ride up cam surfaces 116 onthe top surface of the catch component 78 on both sides of the centralrib 102. This cam engagement forces the latch component 80 to moveupwardly against the bias of the spring washers 88 until the latchcomponent 80 is rotated enough so that the rib 102 snaps into thenotches 108 in the latch component 80. At this point, the latchcomponent 80 is forced downwardly by the spring washers 88 until the rib102 and notches 108 are seated. In this engagement, the latch 80 isyieldingly but releasably interconnected and the latch component 80 isreleasably positioned relative to the catch component 78. As illustratedin FIGS. 8 and 9, the washer assembly has an actuated height H2, whichis less than the non-actuated height H1 of the washer assembly shown inFIGS. 6 and 7 since the washer assembly has been compressed by themovement of the latch component 80 up the cam surface 116 of the catchcomponent 78.

FIG. 7 correlates with FIG. 6 showing the latch component 80 and catchcomponent 78 prior to engagement and longitudinally aligned in anunlocked relationship. Once the latch component 80 has been rotated toreleasably lock the latch component 80 to the catch component 78 underthe bias of the spring washers 88, the entire assembly is compresseddownwardly against the upturned lips 98 of the associated strut 34 sothat the connector 36 is frictionally held in position on the strut 34.This engagement is releasable inasmuch as the latch component 80 canagain be rotated in an opposite 90° turn against the bias of the springwashers 88, which bear against the upper washer 90 and lock washer 92 tocreate the spring force, to rotate the latch component 80 and disengagethe rib 102 from the slot 108 and thus disengage the spring force. Whenthe locking engagement is released, the frictional pressure on the strutis also released so that the connector 36 can be slid longitudinally ofthe strut 34 if desired for repairs or the like.

While the strut 34 has been illustrated with holes 118 through a topwall thereof, the holes 118 are merely provided at fixed intervals alongthe length of the strut 34 so that it can be connected to overlyingsupport beams (not shown) in any conventional manner. The holes 118 inthe top wall of the struts 34 do not have an operative relationship tothe connectors 36 which are suspended from the strut 34. The holes 118may be formed in various shapes, such as circular or an elongated slotas known in the art.

Again referring to FIGS. 6 through 9, the suspending assembly 40 is seenincluding the upper or top plate 62 and the lower body 64 which define agap or passage 66 therebetween. The top end of a vane 32 is slid andslidably supported by the lower body 64 being positioned therein. Asmentioned previously, the suspending assembly 40 is connected to thelower end of the pivot rod 46 with the first cross pin 60 which ispassed through the lower second passage 56 in the pivot rod 46 to holdthe upper plate 64 and lower body 62 of the suspending assembly 40against a circumferential shoulder 120 between the main body 48 andlower reduced diameter extension 52 of the pivot rod 46 as best seen forexample in FIGS. 7 and 9. When the upper end of a vane 32 is suspendedfrom the suspending assembly 40, the flanges 70 extending along oppositesides of the lower body 64 provide a support for the vane 32, whiledownwardly directed ribs 122 in the upper or top plate 62 overlie thevane to slidably confine the vane 32 to the suspending assembly 40.

The vanes 32 can assume different forms and perform different functionsbut the vane 32 illustrated in the first example above, as possibly bestseen in FIG. 3, includes a generally V-shaped pouch 124. In thisexample, the vane 32 may be made of aluminum or another suitablematerial that might be rigid, semi-rigid or even flexible with the upperend of the vane 32 defining an upper base 126 operably associated withthe pouch. The upper base 126 is sufficiently rigid, and definesinturned but longitudinally spaced extending flanges 128 which overliein spaced relationship a horizontal wall 130. The space between theinturned flanges 128 and the horizontal wall 130 slidably receives theflanges 70 of the lower body 64 of the suspending assembly 40 as seen inFIGS. 7 and 9.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are operational views with FIG. 12 showing the connector36 with a vane 32 slidably suspended from the suspending assembly 40 andthe hanger assembly 38 having been inserted into an associated strut 34.In FIG. 12, the latch component 80 and the catch component 78 arelongitudinally aligned so the connector 36 can be slid easily along thelength of the strut 34 until it, for example, engages a spacer 42 thatwas inserted previously to desirably position the connector 36 beforereleasably locking the connector 36 in place (as shown in FIG. 13). Thecylindrical tool 112 is used to releasably lock the connector 36 inplace by inserting the connector 36 through the first transverse passage54 of the pivot rod 46 and rotating it 90° so as to rotate in unisontherewith the latch component 80 until the notches 108 on the lower edgeof the latch component 80. Once rotated to be transverse with strut theextension (about 90° in this example), the latch component 80 snaps ontothe rib 102 on the catch component 78 as possibly seen best in FIG. 10.It should be noted, however, that during the 90° pivotal movement of thepivot rod 46 and the latch component 80, the lower cross pin 60connecting the pivot rod 46 to the suspending assembly 40 also pivotsthrough the same 90° but as seen in FIG. 11 and mentioned earlier, thepin 60 is of a length such that it can pivot within the downwardlyopening channel 68 of the lower body 64 of the suspending assembly 40without moving the suspending assembly 40. The pin 60 does not therebyinhibit the desired 90° pivotal movement required for releasablysecuring the connector 36 in place within the strut 34.

To summarize the actuation of the hanger assembly 38 in the strut 34 andthe vane 32 to the suspension assembly 40, when connecting the connector36 to a strut 34 and vane 32, the hanger assembly 38 is first insertedinto the strut 34 as illustrated for example in FIG. 5. Once the hangerassembly 38 is within the strut 34, it is suspended from the strut 34but is not locked in position until the latch component 80 is pivoted90° relative to the catch component 78. With the hanger assembly 38merely supported within the strut 34, the upper plate 62 and lower body64 of the suspending assembly 40 (which pivot in unison) are rotated 90°from the position illustrated in FIG. 4 so that the flanges 70 on thelower body 64 are aligned with the space between the inturned flanges128 of the vane. The 90° pivotal movement of the upper plate 62 and thelower body 64 is facilitated due to the fact that the pin 60 supportingthe suspending assembly 40 permits the 90° pivotal movement asillustrated and discussed previously in connection with FIG. 11. Oncethe vane 32 has been elevated as shown in FIG. 5 so that the lower body64 is within the top of the vane 32, the upper plate 62 and lower body64 are rotated 90° in a reverse direction so that the flanges 70 on thelower body 64 underlie the flanges 128 on the vane 32 whereby the vane32 is supported by the suspending assembly 40. Once the vane 32 has beensuspended from the suspending assembly 40, the tool 112 can be insertedinto the hole 54 through the pivot rod 46 so that the rod 46 can bepivoted 90° to rotate the latch plate 80 of the hanger assembly 38relative to the catch plate 78 until the latch plate 80 is yieldinglybut releasably locked in a perpendicular relationship to the catch plate78 to releasably fix the position of the connector 36 within the strut34. This movement is permitted without disturbing the connection of thevane 32 to the suspending assembly 40 because the pivotal movement ofthe pivot rod 46 can be made without moving the suspending assembly 40and the suspending assembly 40 will not permit the vane 32 to pivot.Pursuant to the above, it can be seen that the vane 32 can be easilyconnected to associated suspending assemblies 40 and the associatedconnector 36 fixed in position with the hanger assembly 38 along thelength of a strut 34.

A second example of the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.In this example, vanes 32 of the same form illustrated in the firstexample are suspended from struts 34 in close relationship with thebottom edge 132 of the struts. The vanes 32 may be suspendedcontiguously as will be evident to those skilled in the art. As seen inFIG. 14, a vertical rod 134 supports the strut 34 from an overlyingsupport beam (which is not shown) and suspends the various parallelstruts 34 used in the system in a uniform horizontal plane. The strut 34in the second example is identical to the strut 34 in the first example,but the strut 34 in the second example has been inverted so the channel44 opens upwardly. The connectors 135 in the second example are seen tobe two-piece connectors, with each piece 136 being identical inconfiguration. Each piece 136 of the connector 135 includes a horizontalleg 138 and a vertical leg 140. The top edge of the vertical leg 140 hasan inverted lip 142 that defines a downwardly opening channel 143 sizedto receive the upper edges 144 of the strut 34. The vertical leg 140 ofeach piece 136 of the connector 135 is connected to a side wall 146 ofthe strut 34 with a thumb operated fastener or tightener 148 having aknurled head 150. The fastener 148 is adapted to extend into passages152 formed in the side walls 146 of the strut 34. The passages 152 maybe uniformly spaced along the length of the strut 34. The lower orhorizontal leg 138 of each piece 136 of the connector 135 overlies thetop of a vane 32 to be connected to a strut 34. The horizontal leg 138of each piece 136 of the connector 135 is connected to a top of a vane32 with a thumb operated threaded fastener or tightener 154. Thefastener 154 extends through a gap 156 formed between the flanges 128 ofthe top edge of the vane 32, and the fastener 154 is threadably receivedin an anchor plate 158 positioned within a channel formed in the topedge of the vane 32. Rotating the knurled fastener 154 clamps the vane32 between the anchor plate 158 and the horizontal leg 138 of theconnector 135, thereby firmly suspending and anchoring the vane 32 tothe strut 34 at a predetermined position along the length of the strut34.

While the two-piece connector 135 illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 can beused to attach a continuous, one-piece vane to an overlying strut 34,the connector 135 can also be used to connect a two-piece vane to theoverlying strut 34. For example, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, each piece136 of the connector 135 may be connected to an end of one of the vanepieces 32 a or b so the vane pieces are positioned either closely toeach other or contiguously with each other in longitudinal alignment.Two-piece vanes may be utilized when the length of a continuous vane 32is so long that is desirable to have the vane 32 separated into smallerlengths rather than one single, long length.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, a third example of the present disclosureis shown. In this example, the connector 36 may be identical to that ofthe first example. However, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the vane isdifferent. The vane 160 has two parallel sides 166 and a verticaldivider 168 positioned centrally between the sides 166. A lower end ofthe divider 168 bisects an arcuate wall 169 extending between the sides166 of the vane 160. The arcuate wall 169 is downwardly concave and,along with the sides 166, defines a cavity 164 extending along a bottomportion of the vane 160. The bottom of the vane 160 is open and hasshoulders 170 extending inward from a lower end of each side 166. Atransparent or translucent lens 172 is supported by the shoulders 170and encloses the cavity 164. A light source is positioned within thecavity 164 and transmits illumination downward through the lens 172. Insome configurations, the sides 166, the divider 168, the arcuate wall169, or combinations thereof may be transparent or translucent totransmit light sidewise, upward, or at various angles therebetween toprovide indirect light reflected off of a ceiling surface of thebuilding structure. In these configurations, the lens 172, the lowerportions of the sides 166 defining the cavity 164, or both may bereplaced by a material that does not transmit light, such as a blackoutmaterial or a reflective mirrored surface, to substantially eliminateany direct light from being transmitted from the light source toward thefloor of the building structure. The vane 160 illustrated in FIGS. 16and 17 is illuminated with an elongated fluorescent, LED, or other lightbulb 162 mounted in the cavity 164 along the bottom of the vane 160. Ifdesired in a fluorescent system, an elongated chamber (not shown) couldalso be provided within the vane 160 for receipt of a ballast (notshown) as conventionally used in fluorescent systems.

A fourth example of the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 18 and 19.In this example, the connector 36 is identical to the connector 36depicted in FIGS. 1-13, but the vane 174 is again in a different form.The vane 174 illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19 includes a substantiallysolid flat panel 186 suspended from the suspending assembly 40 by a topbase 176. The top base 176 of the vane 174 connects to the suspendingassembly 40 in substantially the same way as the upper base 126 of thevane 32 of the first three examples previously described. Particularly,the top base 176 includes an upwardly opening channel 178 and inturnedflanges 180 designed to slidably receive the suspending assembly 40.However, in contrast to the first three examples, the top base 176 alsoincludes a downwardly opening channel 182 defined by spaced side walls184 into which a reduced width upper edge of the flat panel 186 can bereceived and secured in position with transverse fasteners 188. The flatpanel 186 may be made of any suitable material and of any differentcolor or shape of a material.

FIGS. 20 through 22 illustrate a fifth example of the presentdisclosure. In this example, the connector 36 is identical to that shownin FIGS. 1 through 13, but the vane 190 is again in a different form.The example vane 190 has two primary components: a base 192 and a panel194. The base 192 is designed to suspend any desired type of panel 194,such as a flat plate or the like, from the connector 36. The base 192 isprobably best illustrated in FIG. 22 as a three-piece structure having acentral elongated portion 196 and laterally removable side components204 and 206. The elongated portion 196 includes inwardly directed sideflanges 198 that are integral with a depending section 200 havingoutwardly directed side flanges 202. The inwardly directed side flanges198 define inwardly opening upper side channels 198 that receive thesuspending assembly 40 of FIGS. 1 through 13. The outwardly directedside flanges 202 support the side components 204 and 206 of the base192, which are substantially identical. Each of the side components 204and 206, as seen in FIG. 22, have a horizontal, inwardly directed plateportion 210, inwardly directed flanges 212 and 220, and arcuate outersides walls 208. The plate portion 210 is adapted to fit beneath thecentral elongated portion 196 of the base 192 so the smaller flanges 212along the top of the side components 204 and 206 can be seated on thesmall flanges 202 of the central portion 196. The large plate 210 ofeach side component 204 and 206 over and underlay each other and haveholes 214 therethrough. A threaded fastener 216 extends through a lowerwall 218 of the central portion 196 and the holes 214 of the plates 210so as to hold the side components 204 and 206 to the central portion196, as seen in FIG. 21. Beneath the plate 210, each side component 204and 206 includes a pair of inwardly directed flanges 220 which define alongitudinally extending cavity 222 (FIG. 21) therebetween forsuspending a panel 194 of the vane 190. The example panel 194, as seenin FIGS. 19, 21 and 22, is a flat elongated strip of material 224suspended longitudinally from the three-piece base 192 of the vane 190by a plurality of horizontally spaced pegs 226. The pegs 226 arepositioned adjacent to the upper edge of the panel 194 and are sized toslide along the lower cavity 222 defined by the base 192. Alternatively,the pegs 226 may be sized to fit tightly within the cavity 222 so thatthe base 192 can be assembled about the panel 194 with the pegs 226frictionally fitted within the lower cavity 222 during assembly. FIG. 20shows the entire vane 190, with the three-piece base 192 supporting thelower panel 194, connected to the strut 34 by the connector 36 of FIGS.1 through 13.

FIGS. 23 and 24 show a sixth example of the present disclosure. The vane228 is suspended from struts 34 with a connector 36 of the typedescribed in FIGS. 1 through 13 above. The vane 228 has a base 230defining an upwardly opening channel 232 with inturned flanges 234adapted to be slidably received on the suspending assembly 40 of theconnector 36. The base 230 also includes a vertical strut 236 extendingdownward from the channel 232 and terminating at a cylindrical body 238.The cylindrical body 238 extends longitudinally along, but is spacedapart from, the channel 232 of the base 230.

The vane 228 extends longitudinally with the base 230. The vane 228includes a slightly arcuate, plate-like portion 246, a semi-cylindricalbase 240, and ribs 244 that connect the plate-like portion 246 to thesemi-cylindrical base 240. The cylindrical body 238 of the base 230 isadapted to slidably, but frictionally, receive and support the generallysemi-cylindrical upper base 240 of the vane 228. The panel 242 can bepivoted about the cylindrical body 238 of the base 230 between anydesired position. Also, the panel 242 can be frictionally retained inany pre-set position, such as those illustrated in solid or dashed linesin FIG. 24. By varying the angle of the panel 242 relative to the base230, different aesthetics in an entire ceiling system may be obtainedand different degrees of vision may be permitted upwardly through theceiling system. As will also be appreciated, the acoustics and airflowcan also be regulated by desired positioning of the panels 242, whichwould not need to be uniform throughout a ceiling system utilizing thisvane 228.

FIG. 25 shows a seventh example of the present disclosure. Generally,this example is similar to the first example illustrated in FIGS. 1through 13. The suspension assembly 40 is the same, but the hangerassembly 38 different. In other words, the seventh example of thepresent disclosure is again adapted to be suspended from a strut 34, butthe connector 36 of the example is mounted in a fixed position along thelength of the strut 34. The connector 36 is anchored to the strut 34 ina pre-selected hole 118 through the top wall of the strut 34. While thevane could assume numerous configurations, for purposes of illustration,it is shown to be like the vane 32 of the first example.

The connector 36 of the seventh example includes a suspension assembly40 having the same upper plate 62 and lower body 64 as that of the firstexample. However, the components of the suspension assembly 40 aremounted on a threaded rod 250 having a hexagonal head 252 at a lower endand a threaded segment 254 at a top end. The threaded rod 250 extendsupwardly through the lower body 64 and the upper plate 62 via holesprovided therethrough. The lower body 62 is supported on the hexagonalhead 252 of the threaded shaft 250. The suspension assembly 40 isconnectable to the vane 32 as described in connection with the firstexample. In other words, the vane 32 is supported by flanges 128positioned in a slot formed in the upper base 126 of the vane 32. Acylindrical spacer 256 substantially identical to that used in the firstexample is seated on the top of the upper plate 62. The threaded rod 250extends through the cylindrical sleeve 256 and through a central openingin the bottom plate 76 of the hanger assembly 38, which is identical tothat of the first example.

The bottom plate 76 is again insertable into the strut 34 and issupported on the upturned lips 98 of the strut 34. The bottom plate 76is slidable along the strut 34, and the central hole extending throughthe bottom plate 76 may be aligned with a desired or pre-selected hole118 in the top wall of the strut 34. This alignment can be easilyachieved through use of a spacer 42, as described in connection with thefirst example. Once the bottom plate 76 of the hanger assembly 38 isaligned with a pre-selected hole 118, the threaded rod 250 may beextended upwardly through the aligned hole 118. A nut and washercombination 258 is threadedly received on the upper threaded end 254 ofthe rod 250 and tightened to positively hold the connector 36 in thepre-selected position. Additionally, a transverse passage may beprovided through an upper portion of the threaded segment 254, and across pin, such as a hairpin cotter pin, may extend through thetransverse passage to prevent the nut from being inadvertentlyunthreaded from the threaded segment 254. The seventh example of thedisclosure may be desirable for use in a ceiling system where theadjustable features provided by the first example are not important anda savings in cost is achievable. A combination of connectors of theseventh example and the first example may also be of benefit dependingupon the parameters of the ceiling.

FIG. 26 shows an eighth example of the present disclosure. Generally,this example is similar to the first example illustrated in FIGS. 1through 13 in that the example connector is adapted to be suspended froma strut 34. The connector includes a suspension assembly 259 having thesame lower body 64 as that of the first example, but the upper plate 261is narrower than that of the first example. The upper plate 261 includesa pair of downwardly directed ribs 122 that overlie a pair ofinwardly-extending flanges 128 of a vane 32, which is shown to be likethe vane 32 of the first example for purposes of illustrations. Thecomponents of the suspension assembly 259 are mounted on a threaded rod274 having a reduced diameter lower axial extension 278 at a bottom endand a threaded segment 276 at a top end. A first transverse passage 284extends through the main body of the rod 274, and a second transversepassage 280 extends through the lower axial extension 278. The threadedrod 276 extends upwardly through the lower body 64 and the upper plate261 via holes provided therethrough and the lower body 62 is supportedon a pin 282 extending outwardly from the second transverse passage 280.The length of the pin 282 is dimensioned to rotate within the channel 68of the lower body 64, thereby allowing the threaded rod 274 to rotate.The suspension assembly 259 is connectable to the vane 32 as describedin connection with the first example so that it is supported by flanges128 disposed in a slot of the upper base 126 of the vane 32.

A cylindrical spacer 256 substantially identical to that used in thefirst example is seated on the top of the upper plate 261. The threadedrod 274 extends through the cylindrical sleeve 256, through a centralopening in the bottom plate 76 of the hanger assembly, and through acentral opening 104 in the intermediate plate or catch component 78. Thecylindrical sleeve 256, the bottom plate 76, and the catch component 78are substantially identical to that of the first example except that theopening 104 of the catch component 78 is threaded for engagement withthe threaded segment 276 of the rod 274. Similar to the first example,the bottom plate 76 is positionable within the downwardly orientedopening of the strut 34 between the upturned lips 98 of the strut, andthe catch component 78 is insertable into the strut 34 so as to besupported on the upturned lips 98 of the strut 34. The bottom plate 76and the catch component 78 are slidable along the strut 34 until theconnector is positioned in a desired location. Once in a predeterminedlocation, the threaded rod 274 can be rotated in a tightening directionabout its longitudinal axis to move the catch component 78 down thethreaded segment 276 toward the lower axial extension 278, therebycompressing the catch component 78 against the upturned lips 98 of thestrut 34 and/or the upwardly extending ribs of the bottom plate 76 viathe threaded engagement of the threaded segment 276 of the rod 274 andthe threaded opening 104 of the catch component 78. Thus, in the eighthexample, the rod 274 can be turned about its longitudinal axis toeffectively lock the connector in a desired location relative to thestrut 34. The rod 274 may have to be rotated multiple turns to lock thehanger assembly in place along the length of the strut 34. A tool, suchas the cylindrical rod 112 depicted in FIGS. 8 through 9 and 12 through13 may be positioned within the first transverse opening 284 to assistin rotating the rod 274.

To reposition the connector, the rod 274 is rotated in a looseningdirection about its longitudinal axis to move catch component 78 up thethreaded segment 276 and away from the lower axial extension 278,thereby loosening the connection between catch component 78 and thestrut 34 and/or the bottom plate 76 and permitting the connector to bedisplaced along the length of the strut 34. In the eighth example, therod 274 may be dimensioned so that an upper end of the threaded segment276 is disposed within the strut 34 and does not extend through the hole118, in contrast to the seventh example. Thus, in the eighth example,the connector can be secured to the strut 34 between the holes 118. Thethreaded segment 276 of the rod 274 may include a left or right handthread. Similar to the seventh example, a transverse passage may beprovided through an upper portion of the threaded segment 276, and across pin may extend through the transverse passage to act as aretaining means so that the rod 274 is not inadvertently unthreaded fromthe threaded opening 104.

FIG. 27 shows a ninth example of the present disclosure. Generally, thisexample is similar to the seventh and eighth examples illustrated inFIGS. 25 through 26. Similar to the seventh example, the components ofthe suspension assembly 259 are mounted on a threaded rod 250 having ahead 252 at a lower end and a threaded segment 254 at a top end. Thethreaded rod 250 extends upwardly through the lower body 64 and theupper plate 261 via holes provided therethrough and the lower body 62 issupported on the head 252 of the threaded rod 250. The suspensionassembly 259 is connectable to the vane 32 as described in connectionwith the first example so that it is supported by flanges 128 disposedin a slot of the upper base 126 of the vane 32. However, in FIG. 27, theconnector includes a nut and washer combination 258 for threadablyengaging the threaded segment 254 of the rod 250 to secure the connectorin a pre-selected position along the length of the strut 34. In thisexample, the nut and washer combination 258 are housed within the strut34 when the connector is attached to the strut 34. To facilitatetightening and/or removal of the nut, it may be preferable to align therod 250 with a hole 118 in the top wall of the strut 34 and extend atool, such as a nut driver, through the hole 118 for interaction withthe nut. In some configurations, the washer is not included and only anut is utilized. Similar to the seventh example, a transverse passagemay be provided through an upper portion of the threaded segment 254,and a cross pin may extend through the transverse passage to prevent thenut from being inadvertently unthreaded from the threaded segment 254.In some configurations, the nut may fit tight within the strut 34 sothat the nut cannot turn within the strut 34, thereby removing the needfor a separate tool.

As a further alternative, FIG. 28 shows a tenth example of the presentdisclosure in which a binding, or barrel, nut 260 is utilized tothreadably engage the threaded segment 254 of the rod 250 to secure theconnector 36 to the strut 34. The binding nut 260 includes aninternally-threaded barrel section sized to receive the threaded segment254 of the rod 250. The binding nut 260 also includes a head that may bedesigned for interaction with a standard tool, such as a screwdriver.

Referring to FIGS. 29 through 31, an eleventh example of the presentdisclosure is provided. Generally, the eleventh example is similar tothe first example in that a vane 32 is connected to a strut 34 at adownwardly spaced position from the strut 34 by a connector. Theconnector 271 depicted in FIGS. 29 through 31 includes a suspensionassembly 263 having a lower body 64 with outwardly extending flanges 70configured to be slidably received in an upper base 126 of a vane 32. Asdepicted in FIG. 29, the flanges 70 are positioned between a horizontalwall 130 and inwardly extending flanges 128 of the vane 32 to connectthe suspension assembly 263 to the vane 32. The components of thesuspension assembly 40 are mounted on a threaded rod 250 having a head252 at a lower end and a threaded section 254 at a top end. The threadedrod 250 extends upwardly through the lower body 64 via a hole providedtherethrough and the lower body 64 is supported on the head 252 of thethreaded rod 250. A side-mount external retaining ring 262, commonlyreferred to as an E-style clip, may snap into a groove 264 formed in anouter surface of the shaft 250 to retain the lower body 64 to the shaft250 between the head 252 and the ring 262. Although the groove 264 isdepicted as being formed in the rod 250, in an alternative example acylindrical spacer 256 substantially identical to that used in the firstexample may be used and include a groove configured to receive the ring262. In the eleventh example, the lower body 64 is independentlyrotatable relative to the rod 250.

The connector depicted in FIGS. 29 through 31 also includes a hangerassembly 265 operably associated with the strut 34 and the rod 250. Thehanger assembly 265 includes a bottom plate 76, a nut 266, a catchcomponent 267, and a spring 270. The bottom plate 76 is substantiallyidentical to that of the first example. Beneath the bottom plate 76, anut 266 is configured to threadably engage the threaded section 254 ofthe rod 250 and may be locked in place relative to the rod via a threadlocking fluid or any other suitable method. Above the bottom plate 76, acatch component 267 having transversely spaced grooves 268 is configuredto be inserted into the internal channel of the strut 34. The grooves268 cooperate with the lips 98 of the strut 34 to allow selectivepositioning of the connector 271 along the length of the strut 34. Thecatch component 267 includes a hole 104 sized to receive and threadablyengage the threaded section 254 of the rod 250. Additionally oralternatively, a nut may be positioned above the catch component 267 andthreaded onto the threaded rod 250 to secure the catch component 267 tothe threaded rod 250. A spring 270 may be positioned on a top surface ofthe catch component 267 and engage an inside top surface of the strut 34to bias the catch component 267 downward into contact with the upturnedlips 98 of the strut 34. A plate or other component may be placedbetween the spring 270 and the inside top surface of the strut 34 toassist in repositioning the hanger assembly 265 along the length of thestrut 34. As an example, the plate may be similar to the catch component267 and reside on the top of the spring 270 to prevent the spring 270from interacting with a hole 118 or otherwise binding within the strut34. The spring 270 is depicted as a compression spring, although othertypes of suitable springs may be used.

To connect the vane 32 to the strut 34, the threaded rod 250 is insertedthrough the opening of the lower body 64 until the head 252 abuts alower surface of the lower body 64, the retaining ring 262 is snappedinto the groove 264 associated with the rod 250 to retain the lower body64 on the threaded rod 250, and the flanges 70 of the lower body 64 areslid into slots formed in the upper base 126 of the vane 32. The catchcomponent 267 and the spring 270 are inserted into the strut 34 to adesired location along its length, and the bottom plate 76 is positionedbeneath the catch component 267 so that their center holes are aligned.The threaded segment 254 of the rod 250 is then threaded into the nut266, inserted through the bottom plate 76, and threaded into the catchcomponent 267. Once assembled, the rod 250 and/or the nut 266 can berotated to tighten and/or loosen the hanger assembly 38 to restrict orpermit movement of the hanger assembly 265 along the length of the strut34. While the vane could assume numerous configurations, for purposes ofillustration, the vane shown in the eleventh example resembles the vane32 of the first example.

The examples provided herein generally disclose a new and improvedsystem for suspending vanes from supporting struts within the ceiling ofa building structure. Each vane is suspended below a strut by aplurality of connectors. Each connector includes a hanger assembly and asuspending assembly. Each hanger assembly connects to a supporting strutof the building structure and may be slid along the length of the strutto a desired position. Spacers may be positioned between individualhanger assemblies to set a predetermined spacing between the hangerassemblies (and thus the vanes). Once at a desired position, each hangerassembly may be locked or secured in place. A suspending assembly ispositioned below each hanger assembly and is connected to the hangerassembly with a rod, shaft, or other suitable component. The suspendingassembly connects a vane to the hanger assembly. The suspending assemblymay be slidably received within the vane to permit repositioning of thevane relative to the suspending assembly. The vanes can assume manydifferent forms including, but not limited to, an interior pouch, a flatpanel, illuminated, pivotal, or combination thereof.

Although the present disclosure has been described with a certain degreeof particularity, it is understood the disclosure has been made by wayof example. For example, various features of the disclosure are groupedtogether in one or more examples or configurations for the purpose ofstreamlining the disclosure. However, it should be understood thatvarious features of the certain examples or configurations of thedisclosure may be combined in alternate examples or configurations. Inaddition, it should be understood that changes in detail or structuremay be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure asdefined in the appended claims.

The foregoing description has broad application. For example, while theexamples disclosed herein have been discussed in relation to a certainstrut configuration, it should be appreciated that the conceptsdisclosed herein may equally apply to other building structures utilizedin drop ceiling applications. Similarly, while the examples disclosedherein have been discussed in relation to a few types of vanes, itshould be appreciated that the concepts disclosed herein may equallyapply to various vane configurations. Further, although the disclosurehas been presented as a series of examples, the components or featuresdiscussed in relation to any example may be combined with components orfeatures in any other example to form different arrangements.Accordingly, the discussion of any example is meant only to beexplanatory and is not intended to suggest that the scope of thedisclosure, including the claims, is limited to these examples.

All directional references (e.g., proximal, distal, upper, lower,upward, downward, left, right, lateral, longitudinal, front, back, top,bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, radial, axial, clockwise,and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aidthe reader's understanding of the present disclosure, and do not createlimitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use ofthis disclosure. Connection references (e.g., attached, coupled,connected, and joined) are to be construed broadly and may includeintermediate members between a collection of elements and relativemovement between elements unless otherwise indicated. As such,connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements aredirectly connected and in fixed relation to each other. The drawings arefor purposes of illustration only and the dimensions, positions, orderand relative sizes reflected in the drawings attached hereto may vary.Also, reference herein is made to the vane being “fixed” or “secured” tothe strut by the connector assembly in a releasable manner. Thischaracterization is intended to include that when fixed or secured, thevane may not be moved from its position, as well as the vane may bemoved with force along the strut when secured in this manner.

What is claimed is:
 1. A connector for suspending a vane from a strut ofa building ceiling structure, the strut defining a downwardly openingchannel along a bottom side of the strut, the connector comprising: arod including a top end and a bottom end; at least one hanger componentpositioned adjacent the top end of the rod and configured to be operablycoupled to the strut, the at least one hanger component comprising acatch plate insertable within an interior of the strut, the catch platedefining at least one groove configured to receive at least one wall ofthe strut defining at least a portion of the downwardly opening channelof the strut, the catch plate configured to be slid along the at leastone wall at an interface defined between the at least one groove and theat least one wall to selectively position the catch plate along a lengthof the strut, the at least one hanger component further comprising alower plate configured to be positioned relative to the strut such thata portion of the strut is clamped between the catch plate and the lowerplate when the catch plate and the lower plate are assembled relative tothe strut, the lower plate including a plate portion extending along anexterior of the strut and first and second ribs extending from the plateportion into the downwardly opening channel of the strut; and at leastone suspending component positioned adjacent to the bottom end of therod and configured to be operably coupled to the vane; wherein: a widthof the plate portion is greater than a channel width of the downwardlyopening channel of the strut such that the plate portion extends alongthe bottom side of the strut beyond opposed first and second sides ofthe downwardly opening channel; and the first and second ribs arevertically insertable into the downwardly opening channel from thebottom side of the strut.
 2. The connector of claim 1, wherein: the atleast one groove comprises first and second grooves spaced apart fromeach other along a bottom face of the catch plate; the at least one wallof the strut comprises a first upturned lip and a second upturned lip;and the first and second grooves are configured to receive the first andsecond upturned lips, respectively.
 3. The connector of claim 2,wherein: the first and second upturned lips extend lengthwise along thelength of the strut in a first direction; and the first and second ribsare oriented parallel to the first direction.
 4. The connector of claim2, wherein: the first upturned lip is spaced apart from the secondupturned lip such that the first upturned lip defines the first side ofthe downwardly opening channel and the second upturned lip defines theopposed second side of the downwardly opening channel; and the first andsecond ribs extend from the plate portion and into the downwardlyopening channel such that the first and second ribs are positioneddirectly between the first and second upturned lips.
 5. The connector ofclaim 2, wherein: each of the first and second upturned lips defines atop edge; and the first and second grooves are recessed relative to thebottom face of the catch plate such that the bottom face is positionedbelow the top edges of the first and second upturned lips when the firstand second upturned lips are received within the first and secondgrooves, respectively.
 6. The connector of claim 1, wherein a portion ofthe rod defined between the top and bottom ends of the rod extendsthrough both the lower plate and the downwardly opening channel and intoan interior of the strut.
 7. A connector for suspending a vane from astrut of a building ceiling structure, the strut defining a downwardlyopening channel along a bottom side of the strut, the connectorcomprising: a rod including a top end and a bottom end, the rodconfigured to be operably coupled to the strut adjacent the top end ofthe rod; at least one hanger component coupled to the rod, the at leastone hanger component comprising a lower plate configured to be partiallyreceived within the downwardly opening channel when the rod is operablycoupled to the strut, the lower plate comprising a plate portionextending along an exterior of the strut and first and second ribsextending from the plate portion and into the downwardly opening channelof the strut; and at least one suspending component positioned adjacentthe bottom end of the rod and configured to be operably coupled to thevane; wherein: the plate portion defines a width between opposed lateralends of the plate portion; a width of the plate portion is greater thana channel width of the downwardly opening channel of the strut such thatthe plate portion extends along the bottom side of the strut beyondopposed first and second sides of the downwardly opening channel; andthe first and second ribs are vertically insertable into the downwardlyopening channel from the bottom side of the strut.
 8. The connector ofclaim 7, wherein the at least one hanger component further comprises acatch plate configured to be positioned within an interior of the strutsuch that a portion of the strut is positioned between the catch plateand the lower plate when the rod is coupled to the strut.
 9. Theconnector of claim 8, wherein: the strut comprises a first upturned lipand a second upturned lip spaced apart from the first upturned lip; thefirst upturned lip defines the first side of the downwardly openingchannel and the second upturned lip defines the opposed second side ofthe downwardly opening channel; the catch plate defines first and secondgrooves spaced apart from each other along a bottom face of the catchplate; and when the rod is operatively coupled to the strut, the firstgroove is configured to receive the first upturned lip of the strut andthe second groove is configured to receive the second upturned lip ofthe strut.
 10. The connector of claim 9, wherein the catch plate isconfigured to be slid along the first and second upturned lips when thefirst and second upturned lips are received within the first and secondgrooves, respectively, to allow the connector to be selectivelypositioned along a length of the strut.
 11. The connector of claim 9,wherein: the first and second upturned lips extend lengthwise along alength of the strut in a first direction; and the first and second ribsare oriented parallel to the first direction.
 12. The connector of claim9, wherein the first and second ribs extend from the plate portion andinto the downwardly opening channel such that the first and second ribsare positioned directly between the first and second upturned lips. 13.The connector of claim 9, wherein each of the first and second upturnedlips defines a top edge; and the first and second grooves are recessedrelative to the bottom face of the catch plate such that the bottom faceis positioned below the top edges of the first and second upturned lipswhen the first and second upturned lips are received within the firstand second grooves, respectively.
 14. The connector of claim 7, whereina portion of the rod defined between the top and bottom ends of the rodextends through both the lower plate and the downwardly opening channeland into an interior of the strut.
 15. A suspended ceiling system,comprising: a strut configured to be supported relative to a ceiling ofa building structure, the strut defining a downwardly opening channelalong a bottom side of the strut; a plurality of vanes; and a pluralityof connectors configured to suspend the plurality of vanes relative tothe strut, each connector of the plurality of connectors including atleast one hanger component configured to couple said connector to thestrut and at least one suspending component configured to couple saidconnector to a respective vane of the plurality of vanes; wherein: theat least one hanger component comprises a lower plate configured to bepartially received within the downwardly opening channel of the strutwhen the at least one hanger component is operably coupled to the strut;the lower plate comprises a plate portion extending along an exterior ofthe strut and first and second ribs extending from the plate portion andinto the downwardly opening channel of the strut; the plate portiondefines a width between opposed lateral ends of the plate portion; awidth of the plate portion is greater than a channel width of thedownwardly opening channel of the strut such that the plate portionextends along the bottom side of the strut beyond opposed first andsecond sides of the downwardly opening channel; and the first and secondribs are vertically insertable into the downwardly opening channel fromthe bottom side of the strut.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein: theplurality of vanes are oriented parallel to one another, with each vaneof the plurality of vanes extending lengthwise in a first direction; thestrut extends lengthwise in a second direction oriented perpendicular tothe first direction.
 17. The system of claim 15, wherein each connectorof the plurality of connectors is configured to be slid along a lengthof the strut to adjust a position of the respective vane coupled to saidconnector along the length of the strut.
 18. The connector of claim 15,wherein the at least one hanger component further comprises a catchplate configured to be positioned within an interior of the strut suchthat a portion of the strut is positioned between the catch plate andthe lower plate when the at least one hanger component is operablycoupled to the rod.
 19. The connector of claim 18, wherein: the strutcomprises a first upturned lip and a second upturned lip spaced apartfrom the first upturned lip; the first upturned lip defines the firstside of the downwardly opening channel and the second upturned lipdefines the opposed second side of the downwardly opening channel; thecatch plate defines first and second grooves spaced apart from eachother along a bottom face of the catch plate; and when the rod isoperatively coupled to the strut, the first groove is configured toreceive the first upturned lip of the strut and the second groove isconfigured to receive the second upturned lip of the strut.
 20. Theconnector of claim 19, wherein the first and second ribs extend from theplate portion and into the downwardly opening channel such that thefirst and second ribs are positioned directly between the first andsecond upturned lips.